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North Korea fires missiles into sea in apparent anger over military drill North Korea fires missiles into sea in apparent anger over military drill
(about 4 hours later)
North Korea has fired two short-range missiles into the sea, Seoul's military has said, in an apparent show of anger at an upcoming joint military drill between South Korea and the United States.North Korea has fired two short-range missiles into the sea, Seoul's military has said, in an apparent show of anger at an upcoming joint military drill between South Korea and the United States.
The North fired the two short-range ballistic missiles into the East Sea (Sea of Japan) at 1.20am and 1.30am local time on Sunday, the South's defence ministry told AFP.The North fired the two short-range ballistic missiles into the East Sea (Sea of Japan) at 1.20am and 1.30am local time on Sunday, the South's defence ministry told AFP.
"Their range appear to be around 500km [310 miles]," he said, adding that Seoul's military had stepped up monitoring for additional launches."Their range appear to be around 500km [310 miles]," he said, adding that Seoul's military had stepped up monitoring for additional launches.
The move – the latest in a series of similar launches in recent weeks – came a day after Pyongyang condemned an upcoming Seoul-Washington naval joint exercise. The move – the latest in a series of similar launches in recent weeks – came a day after Pyongyang condemned an upcoming Seoul-Washington naval exercise.
The annual drill, to be held from 16 to 21 July, involves the US aircraft carrier George Washington, which arrived in the southern port of Busan on Friday.The annual drill, to be held from 16 to 21 July, involves the US aircraft carrier George Washington, which arrived in the southern port of Busan on Friday.
The North bristled at the massive, nuclear-powered carrier visiting the port, calling it a "reckless" act of provocation on Saturday. The North bristled at the massive, nuclear-powered carrier visiting the port, calling it a "reckless" act of provocation.
"The US should properly understand that the more persistently it resorts to reckless nuclear blackmail and threat, the further [the North] will bolster up its cutting-edge nuclear force for self-defence," said the North's top military body, the National Defence Commission. "The US should properly understand that the more persistently it resorts to reckless nuclear blackmail and threat, the further [the North] will bolster up its cutting-edge nuclear force for self-defence," said the North's top military body, the National Defence Commission, on Saturday.
The North has habitually slammed joint military exercises held south of the border and often responded with missile launches. The North has habitually criticised joint military exercises held south of the border and often responded with missile launches.
UN resolutions bar the North from conducting any ballistic missile tests. Sunday's launch – the fifth in just over two weeks – took place in a sensitive area close to the heavily fortified border with the South, the defence ministry official said without elaborating further. UN resolutions bar the North from conducting any ballistic missile tests. Sunday's launch – the fifth in just over two weeks – took place in a sensitive area close to the heavily fortified border with the South, the defence ministry official said.
Yonhap news agency said the missiles were launched only about 12 miles north of the demilitarised zone (DMZ) that has divided the peninsula since the 1950-53 Korean war ended in a fragile armistice.Yonhap news agency said the missiles were launched only about 12 miles north of the demilitarised zone (DMZ) that has divided the peninsula since the 1950-53 Korean war ended in a fragile armistice.
The North appears to have moved them about 30 to 40 miles away from a military base by using mobile launchers, Yonhap said, citing an unnamed Seoul army official.The North appears to have moved them about 30 to 40 miles away from a military base by using mobile launchers, Yonhap said, citing an unnamed Seoul army official.
The location may fall within the range of South Korean artillery guns, said Kim Jung-bong, a political science professor at Hanzhong University, adding that the move was aimed at portraying the North's leader, Kim Jong-un, as a "bold leader with guts".The location may fall within the range of South Korean artillery guns, said Kim Jung-bong, a political science professor at Hanzhong University, adding that the move was aimed at portraying the North's leader, Kim Jong-un, as a "bold leader with guts".
"The North appears to be stepping up its threats by showing that it can fire missiles at any time and any place it wants," said Kim Jung-bong."The North appears to be stepping up its threats by showing that it can fire missiles at any time and any place it wants," said Kim Jung-bong.
The North has often fired short-range missiles or rockets into the sea to express anger at perceived provocations.The North has often fired short-range missiles or rockets into the sea to express anger at perceived provocations.
Previous tests had preceded a state visit by the Chinese president, Xi Jinping, to Seoul, and were seen by some analysts as a show of pique at his decision to visit Seoul before Pyongyang. Previous tests preceded a state visit by the Chinese president, Xi Jinping, to Seoul, and were seen by some analysts as a show of pique at his decision to visit Seoul before Pyongyang.
China is the isolated North's sole major ally, but while Xi has met the South Korean president, Park Geun-Hye, four times, he has yet to sit down with Kim Jong-un.China is the isolated North's sole major ally, but while Xi has met the South Korean president, Park Geun-Hye, four times, he has yet to sit down with Kim Jong-un.